Mixing apparatus



May 18, 1965 H. l. ARONOWITZ ETAL MIXING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 8, 1962 will!!! k\\\\\\\\\\\ INVENTOR. HERBERT I. ARONOWITZ l x ck L. ARONOWITZ MM k ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,184,222 MIXING APPARATUS Herbert I. Aronowitz, 50 4th St, North Arlington, NJ., and Jack L. Aronowitz, 1360 48th St., Brooklyn 19,

' Filed Jan. 8, 1962, Ser. No. 164,700

15 Claims. ((1259-54) This invention relates to agitator or mixing apparatus, and has particular reference to an improved type of mixing table which has provision and accessory equipment to hold a variety of containers or other vessels containing material to be agitated or mixed.

It is well known that in the field of medicine, particularly in most types of laboratory work, that materials or substances being analyzed or tested require agitation or mixing as a part of the process. The types of containers or vessels containing the materials to be mixed vary in size and shape. For example, there are test tubes of different sizes, there are bealcers and flasks of different proportions and sizes, and various types of tubing such as pipets. Although the agitation or mixing action of a motorized agitator is the same for normal mixing or agitation regardless of the size or shape of the container to be agitated, it is necessary to have many different types of agitating machines to accommodate all sizes and shapes of such containers.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide an agitation machine which will accommodate all of the usual sizes of test tubes, beakers and flasks and tubings.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a mixing platform for an agitation or mixing machine which can accommodate several different types of containers for mixing, either simultaneously or interchangeably.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will appear in the specification hereinbelow.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevation with parts cut away;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view;

FIG. 3 is a cross section along the lines 33 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the device with a beaker in position, showing outlines of the mixing table in dotted line to indicate movement;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the mixing table;

FIG. 6 is another side elevation of the mixing table;

FIG. 7 is a detail of the cord;

FIG. 8 is another detail of the cord with a modified form of end;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view along the lines 99 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a detail sectional view of a cup and a portion of the mixing table;

FIG. 11 is a wiring diagram of the drive means and control therefor; and

FIG. 12 is a sectional detail of bearings taken along the lines 12-l2 in FIG. 3.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 a preferred embodiment of the invention comprising a base structure or housing 10. The base structure It) may be made of wood, plastic, metal or any other suitable material. If made of a lightweight material, it should contain lead weights 11 to weight it down for stability. A base with gripping power such as a neoprene or rubber bottom 12 should be provided to prevent sliding on the surface on which it is used. Any material which will provide a non-skid relationship of such subs.ances, such as formica or stainless steel, will be adequate for the bottom 12.

Mounted within the base structure 1% there is a driving ice means such as a vertically disposed drive shaft 131, driven by an electric motor or other power means 14. We find, for example, that an electric motor having a rating of HR, A.C. volts, 2850 continuous rpm. at .28 amp. is a suitable power means to drive the shaft 13. We provide a direct drive between the motor and the shaft 13. However, we may vary the speed of the device by providing a speed control means such as rheostat 15 which may be a volt rheostat. We may also provide a timing means such as an electric or clockwork timer 16 having a switch -17 in the power line 18. The power line 18 is connected by means of the usual type of connector to the power source which, in this case, would be 115 volt A.C,, it being understood that the device will, of course, work on DC. current or AC. current of any suitable voltage, as well as by any electric motor of a suitable rating for the purpose, or other power means such as a clockwork motor in place of the electric motor 14.

We also provide an On-Off switch 2%. Drive shaft 13 extends upwardly out of the base structure 10, and is connected to an offset drive transmission means such as a wheel or crank 21. Also extending upwardly from the base structure 10, we provide bearing means such as one or more bearings 22 having a central support 23 and an upper bearing surface 24, preferably disc-like in shape.

We provide a mixing table or platform 30 having a lower portion 31 preferably made of steel, and an upper portion 32 preferably made of neoprene. On the lower surface of the lower portion 31, we provide at least one bearing assembly comprising a facing pair of angles 33 which are adapted to fit around the disc-like element 24 of bearing 22. This permits platform 30 to move over base structure 1G using bearings 22 and bearing angles 33.

While it is possible to make a structure which will operate with one bearing assembly, it is preferred to have two such assemblies as shown in FIG. 3'of the drawings. At various places in the platform 30, we drill holes in which we place neoprene cups 35. Each neoprene cup has inwardly downwardly depending circular walls 36 converging on a depression 37 at the lower center of the cup 35. These cups are designed to hold the bottom portions 3-9 of test tubes 40.

We prefer to install three neoprene cups to fit in a large hole 42 of 55 mm. in diameter, a medium hole 43 of 37 mm. in diameter, and a small hole 44 of 18 mm. in diameter. We find that a platform 30 approximately 9" long and 7" wide is an ideal size for most purposes for which the invention would be used. However, the con cept of the invention should not be limited to any particular size.

Platform 30 also has mounted on its lower surface a drive connecting means such as a pin 50 which may be a steel pin welded to the platform. Pin 50 is connected to wheel or crank 21 so that when bearing angles 33 are properly mounted on bearings 22 and the pin 50 is connected to wheel or crank 21, platform 30 is installed on base structure 10. Then when drive shaft 13 rotates, a rotary motion will be imparted to pin 50 which will cause end A of the platform to move in a rotary fashion and cause end B of the platform to reciprocate. End A, as it rotates, will have a relative lateral movement with relation to end B while at the same time reciprocating with end B. This is illustrated in dotted line in FIG. 4 of the drawings.

We also provide a series of transverse grooves 51 approximately M; of an inch deep and A of an inch in breadth. These grooves 51 are provided to hold pipets 52. Around the perimeter of the platform 30 we locate a number of connectors 53 having shafts 54 extending from platform 30 and heads 55 on the shafts. These connectors or connecting means 53 are adapted to be connected with resilient means such as elastic or shock cords 56 having appropriate loops 57 at their ends. The loops 57 of the shock cords 56 are of a proper size to fit the heads 55 and remain in place around the shafts 54. As an alternate, we may provide hooks, or clips 58 made of metal which may similarly be connected to connectors 53 and be maintained in place by the elasticity of the cords 56. v

In FIG. 2. of the drawings, we show a pair of cords 56 connected to connectors 53 and disposed longitudinally along platform 30 holding two pipets 52 in place in grooves 51; Thus, the device may be used to agitate or mix the contents'of several pipets simultaneously, holding the pipets in place by means of the combined features of the cords 5.6 and the grooves 51. V

In FIG. 1 of the drawings, we show a test tube 49 being held in a neoprene cup 43. This maybe done by means of a clip 60 or by holding the test tube manually at its end 61. The support for clip 60 is not shown, but it may be any type of standard attachment to the table on which our device is used or attached to the base structure of the device, or attached to platform 30.

It is understood that in the device as shown in the drawings, three test tubes may be agitated simultaneously, and thatif desired, more than three holes and neoprene may be agitated simultaneously. l

In FIG. 3 of the drawings, we show a beaker 65 placed on the platform and held in place by criss-crossing cords 56 around the beaker, and to connectors 53, and in FIG. 5 of the drawings, we show flask being similarly held in place. I r e v We also provide hook means such as a pair of S-shaped hooks 70 which'may be connected to medial. portions of the cords 56 and hooked over the lipor rim 71 of a vessel such'as a tall container 72 as shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings. Thus, it"is apparent that practically any conceivabletype of laboratory container such as a test tube,

beaker or flask, can in some way .be accommodated said offset drive transmission, whereby when the said drive means rotate the said vertically disposed drive shaft, the portion of the said plaftorm over the said'bearing means will have a substantially reciprocal motion with relation to the portion of the said base structure beneath it, and the portion of the platform over the said offset drive transmission will have a rotary-motion with relation to a portion of the said base structure beneath it, said platformhaving at least one groove located between the said center portion and the said side between which the said bearing means are located, and said platform- 7 held by the said cup, 7

.2. Themixing apparatus as defined in claiml in which if the said container retaining means includes a plurality cups may be provided so that more than three test tubes on our mixing table or platform 30 and be securely held 7 e in place during an agitating or mixing process.

A further advantage of our invention is that if desired,

different types of containers can 'be used either. inter-g While we have described. our invention inlits preferred forms and embodiments, there. are other forms which it may take without departing from the spirit and scope of V the invention. and We, therefore, desire to be protected forall forms coming within appended hereinbelow;

Wherefore we claim; I I ,7 1. In a mixing apparatus, the combination compris ing: a base structure, comprising, a center portion, a perimeter including opposed side portions, drive means,

a vertically disposed'drive shaft extendingupwardlyfrom said drive means in said base structure 'at -aposition'bethe scope. of the claims tween said center; and one of said opposed sides including'olfset drive transmission means and bearing means associated with the'upper' part of the said basestructure" positioned between the said center and the other of said opposed sides; and a platform above the said base struc ture' comprising a. center portion and a pair fof opposed} sides, bearing means underneath the said platform posi of connectors located substantially at the perimeter of the. said platform.

I 3. A mixing apparatus as defined in claim,2, in combination with at least, one cord adapted to befselectively connected to the said COIIIIGCtOIS.'-'

4.-A mixing apparatus as. defined inclaim 2, in combination with at least one resilient cord having ends adapted to be selectively connected to the said connectors.

5. A mixing apparatus as defined in claim 2, in combition andreciprocating motion to the said. apparatus: said apparatus including a platform having a body portion comprising surfacearea and a perimeter, said drive means being adapted to impart a substantially rotary motion to one' portion of the area of the said platform and a substantially reciprocating motion to another portion of the area of the said platform, said platform having at least 1 one groove in' the said surface area within the area of substantial reciprocal motion,-together with atleast 'shape,"said cups beingadapted to support or hold containers having curvedportions, and said surface area of the platform being adapted to support containers having substantially fiat bottom portions, together with means to selectively retain the saidcontainers mounted on the 7 said platform when desired.

*7; An apparatuafor supporting or holding containers of various shapes and sizes, for use in combinationwith drive means to impartrelatively independent rotary motion and reciprocating motion to the said apparatus'z said apparatus includingya' platform having a body portion comprising surface area and a perimeter, said drivemeans being adapted to impart a.substantially rotary motion.

stantially reciprocating motion to another portion of the garea or" the said platforn1,'saidplatform having a plurality of grooves in the" surface-area with at leastone groove'in the saidsurfaceareawithin the area of substan- 1 tial lreciprocalfmotion, together with a pluralityof'cups tioned between the said. center portionof the said plat-,-

form and one of the said opposed sides of -the said platform, said bearing means of the 'said' base structure and having'fa substantially rod-like shape, said cupsbeing the said. platform, respectively, comprising element's 5 7 adapted to bear in longitudinal ;reciprocal relation .with g each other, 'saidplatforrh furthericomprisingmeans, be-f tween its said center portion and thebth'i'I-of its "said .opp'osed sides; connecting the ';said"'platforin with the portions,

in the surface area with at leastone cupin the said'surface area within-the area of substantial rotary motion,

said 'grooves'b eing adapted to supportror hold containers adap't edto supportor holdi'containers having curvedporv l tions, and said surface .areaofthe: platform being adapted to isuppjortfjcontainers havin'g' substantially flat bottom together with means; 19; selectively "retain the said containers mounted on the said platform when desired.

8. The mixing apparatus as defined in claim 7 in which the said container retaining means include a plurality of connectors located at or near the perimeter of the said platform.

9. The mixing apparatus as defined in claim 8 including, in combination, at least one cord adapted to be selectively connected to the said connectors mounted at or near the perimeter of the said platform.

10. The mixing apparatus as defined in claim 8 including, in combination, at least one resilient cord adapted to be selectively connected to the said fastening means mounted at or near the perimeter of the said platform.

11. The mixing apparatus as defined in claim 8 including, in combination, at least one resilient cord adapted to be selectively connected to the said fastening means mounted at or near the perimeter of the said platform, and hook means adapted to be selectively connected to at least one portion of the said resilient cord, and further adapted to be connected to at least one portion of a container adapted to be supported or held on the platform of the said apparatus.

12. The mixing apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which the said cup has inwardly downwardly curving walls ending in a depression at the lower center of the cup.

13. The mixing apparatus as defined in claim 6 in which the said cup has inwardly downwardly curving walls ending in a depression at the lower center of the cup.

14. The mixing apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which the upper surface of the said platform is comprised of a resilient material.

15. The mixing apparatus as defined in claim 6 in which the upper surface of the said platform is comprised of a resilient material.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,141,660 6/15 Simpson 209-366 1,489,024 4/24 Burnett 25972 2,255,799 9/41 Meinzer 259-72 2,513,461 7/50 Duncan 248154 2,539,851 1/51 Massey 259-54 2,554,136 5/51 Brown 21174 2,717,700 9/55 Gruzensky 21174 2,809,020 10/57 Magee et a1. 7486 X 2,908,522 10/59 Glave 292288 2,976,792 3/61 Chambers 25972 X 2,988,333 6/61 Mesic 211-74 FOREIGN PATENTS 521,097 3 31 Germany.

547,152 3 32 Germany.

271,732 6/ 27 Great Britain.

489,945 8/38 Great Britain.

CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner.

J. S. SHANK, Examiner. 

6. AN APPARATUS, FOR SUPPORTING OR HOLDING CONTAINERS OF VARIOUS SHAPES AND SIZES, FOR USE IN COMBINATION WITH DRIVE MEANS TO IMPART RELATIVELY INDEPDNDENT ROTARY MOTION AND RECIPROCATING MOTION TO THE SAID APPARATUS: SAID APPARATUS INCLUDING A PLATFORM HAVING A BODY PORTION COMPRISING SURFACE AREA AND A PERIMETER, SAID DRIVE MEANS BEING ADAPTED TO IMPART A SUBSTANTIALLY ROTARY MOTION TO ONE PORTION OF THE AREA OF THE SAID PLATFORM AND A SUBSTANTIALLY RECIPROCATING MOTION TO ANOTHER PORTION OF THE AREA OF THE SAID PLATFORM, SAID PLATFORM HAVING AT LEAST ONE GROOVE IN THE SAID SURFACE AREA WITHIN THE AREA OF SUBSTANTIAL RECIPROCAL MOTION, TOGETHER WITH AT LEAST ONE CUP IN THE SAID SURFACE AREA WITHIN THE AREA OF SUBSTANTIAL ROTAROY MOTION, SAID GROOVES BEING ADAPTED TO SUPPORT OR HOLD CONTAINERS HAVING A SUNSTANTIALLY ROD-LIKE SHAPE, SAID CUPS BEING ADAPTED TO SUPPORT OR HOLD CONTAINERS HAVING CURVED PORTIONS, AND SAID SURFACE AREA OF THE PLATFORM BEING ADAPTED TO SUPPORT CONTAINERS HAVING SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT BOTTOM PORTIONS, TOGETHER WITH MEANS TO SELECTIVELY RETAIN THE SAID CONTAINERS MOUNTED ON THE SAID PLATFORM WHEN DESIRED. 